BANGKOK – Thai police are searching for two foreign suspects after dismantling a transnational romance scam network that allegedly defrauded a Thai single mother of nearly 22 million baht over more than two years. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) announced that 13 suspects have been arrested, while a Canadian and a Cambodian national remain at large, underscoring the cross-border nature of the operation.

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The case came to light after the victim filed a complaint through the Thai police online reporting system. Investigators revealed she was groomed into an online relationship beginning in 2023 after meeting a man on the ThaiCupid dating website. The conversation later moved to the LINE messaging app, where the suspect posed as a Jordanian single father whose overseas business had failed. He persuaded her to invest with him abroad, promising to relocate to Thailand if the venture succeeded—a tactic used to build trust and prolong the scam.

Between January 2024 and July 2025, the woman transferred money 42 times, losing a total of 21.9 million baht. She contacted authorities after communication dwindled and she suspected deception.

CIB Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chawnasit stated that arrest warrants were issued for 17 suspects, including 14 Thai nationals and three foreigners—one Canadian, one Cambodian, and one Swiss. Thirteen suspects have been arrested across nine provinces, while two others were already imprisoned on unrelated charges. The two fugitives still being sought are identified as Mr. Yat, a Canadian, and Mr. Kim, a Cambodian.

All arrested suspects have denied the charges, with some claiming they were only involved in buying and selling digital currency, while others said they were paid by unknown individuals to open bank accounts and install mobile banking apps.

Investigators said bank accounts linked to the network were connected to at least 19 other call-center scam cases, causing additional losses exceeding 36 million baht. Combined with this case, total damages surpassed 58 million baht.

Authorities warned the public against transferring money to people met online or agreeing to investment solicitations without verifying identities. They also emphasized that buying or selling bank accounts or registered SIM cards is a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 baht.

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“This case shows that the length of online contact is not a reliable measure of trust,” a senior police official said. “Even relationships that last more than a year without meeting in person can hide serious dangers.” Police efforts continue to locate the two remaining suspects and expand the investigation into related fraud cases.

-Thailand News (TN)